The fall of Lin Biao

• When did Lin Biao die?


  13th September 1971
• How was he killed?

  In a plane crash
• What were Mao’s reasons for wanting him dead?


  He was becoming to popular and Mao feared a military coup

  Mao wanted to bring the radical policies of the cultural revolution to an end whereas he wanted them to continue
• Foreign policy 


  Following the sino-soviet split 1969, Mao believed China should be more pragmatic and build a better relationship with the USA

  Ping-pong diplomacy- the US welcomed China for table tennis
• What were some other reasons Mao was beginning to dislike Lin?


  Nixon announced a relaxation of the trade embargo against China- lin heavily opposed this

  Lin proposed a new constitution discussed at Lushan 1970

  Lin suggested bringing back the position of head of state which made Mao suspicious

  Jiang Qing also disliked Lin and spoke out against him
• What was Mao’s strategy against Lin?


  Moved against Lin in an indirect way

  Attacked his key allies

  Mao then began to pack the military affairs commission with his own supporters- Posted Lin allies elsewhere
• Who was Chen Boda and what happened to them?


  Member of the standing committee and chairman of the CCRG

  Arrested and forced to make self- criticisms for factional behaviour.
• What is the official versions of events that led to Lins death?

  Lin and his son (in the air force) devised ‘project 571’ to assassinate Mao by blowing up his train. Lin’s son told his daughter who leaked the plan to Zhou Enlai which led to a full security alert. Lin and his son then attempted to flee China for the Soviet Union in a plane but crashed in the Mongolian desert.